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Q: And then can we never think that relative clauses modify store and convenience modifies store respectively?A: I don't follow the logic. a convenience store which is nearby and a big store which is nearby have virtually the same analysis. The difference is that 'convenience' is a noun which modifies 'store', and 'big' is an adjective that modifies 'store'.I am really sorry, but this issue is really bothering me nowadays. Please, help me out againI got the answer long time ago from a good helper here and I thought that I understood it at that time.I understand that The difference is that 'convenience' is a noun which modifies 'store', and 'big' is an adjective that modifies 'store'.And then, does which is nearby modify convenience store or store or both are possible?And does which is nearby modify big store or store or both are possible?If both are possible, do both ways carry the same meaning?I am really sorry for posting the same questions and not understanding well.And I have failed to add comments on my last threads without knowing reasons. That's way I am asking this question again. I am sorry to bother and take your time.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Hans51And then, does which is nearby modify convenience store or store or both are possible?

English grammar is not carved in stone. It is purely descriptive, and there are many ways to describe it. Pick a grammar book or two and learn each one.

Hans51And does which is nearby modify big store or store or both are possible?

Both this and the "convenience" one can be looked at either way. To tell you how it sounds to a native speaker, taking the "big" one as an example because "big" is a shorter word than "convenience", and I hate to type, bearing in mind that I can't see the original sentence, if the clause modifies only "store", you want a nearby store that happens to be big. This is not what you mean. You want a big store, one that is also nearby, so "big" logically modifies "big store", and that's what we hear. But you must admit that big or little, the store is nearby, and adjective do not modify adjectives in the conventional grammar I learned in grade school

Hans51If both are possible, do both ways carry the same meaning?

After-the-fact grammatical analysis has no effect on meaning. Usually we can tell what is meant, and if not, the writer messed up.

Hans51I am sorry to bother and take your time.

Yeah, cut it out, will you? My wife has been calling me for breakfast for five minutes now. (Just joking, in case your culture makes it so you couldn't tell.)

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I have failed to add comments on my last threads without knowing reasons.

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